kai-
1. Prefix added to verbs which express some kind of action to form nouns denoting a human agent (i.e. the person doing the action), e.g. kaikōrero (speaker), kaitiaki (guardian, trustee), kaimahi (worker), kaihoko (seller), kaituhi (writer) and kaitito haka (haka composer). This prefix cannot be used with verbs the meaning of which indicates a state, not an activity, e.g. moe and tū. In other words, only transitive verbs can take the prefix kai-. There are exceptions to this rule, notably kainoho (inhabitant). Some of the words created by this use of kai- are listed in this dictionary, but the list is not exhaustive.
(Te Pihinga Textbook (Ed. 2): 48-49;)
See also kaihoe, porokaihākere
2. (verb) (-nga,-ngia) to drink - used for any liquid other than water.
Ka rīria a Hōne e Apirana he kaha nōna ki te kai waipiro (TTR 1998:184). / John was reprimanded by Apirana because he drank alcohol to excess.
3. (noun) food, meal.
(Te Kākano Textbook (Ed. 2): 33-34; Te Māhuri Textbook (Ed. 2): 35-49;)
He nui te kai: te parāoa, te huka, te tī, te pīkara, te tōhi, te pīwhi, te poaka, me te tini o ngā kai (KO 15/12/1886:8). / There was plenty of food: bread, sugar, tea, pickles, toast, beef, pork, and much more.
See also hari kai
kai
1. (verb) to fulfil its proper function, have full play, have full effect.
E whiti, e te rā, e kai ki taku kiri (W 1971:86). / Shine, o sun, have full effect upon my skin.
E kore e mau i a koe he wae kai pakiaka (W 1971:86). / You will not catch feet used to running among tree roots. (A whakataukī stressing the value of experience for success.)
kai
1. (noun) riddle, puzzle, toy.
Synonyms: panga, whakapōkaikaha, pere
2. (noun) recidivist.
mate kai
1. (stative) be hungry.
I kai ai i ō mātou hoariri, hei ngaki i te mauāhara a te ngākau pukuriri, ehara i te mate kai i kainga ai te tangata, engari he kai i te hoariri, kia ngata ai te ngākau kino ki a ia (JPS 1896:4). / We ate our enemies to satisfy the hatred of the angry heart, not through hunger after man's flesh, but enemies were eaten to assuage the bitter feelings we had.
See also matekai
hari kai
1. (noun) song to entertain visitors as food is set out.
Tētahi take nui i whakaaetia e tēnei hui, ko ngā mahi a ngā tūpuna o mua kei ngaro, kia tino mahia nuitia i ēnei rā: Ngā whakataukī, ngā waiata Māori, ngā pepeha, me ngā tikanga katoa o ngā mea, me ngā harihari, tūtū ngārahu, me ngā hari kai (TP 8/1909:11). / An important matter that was agreed to by the meeting was the activities of the ancestors of former times that these should be used widely today: The aphorisms, Māori songs, tribal sayings and the customary practices of everything, the songs to unite people in a common purpose, war dances and songs for presenting food.
See also harikai
mahinga kai
1. (noun) garden, cultivation, food-gathering place.
Ko ngā otaota hoki o ngā pāmu kua maroke rawa atu, ānō he mea tahu ki te ahi. Waihoki me ngā tāngata Māori e auhi ana ki ā rātou mahinga kai (KO 15/1/1886:3). / And the grass of the farms has dried off completely as if it was burnt with fire. In addition the Māori people are distressed about their gardens.
rārangi kai
1. (noun) menu.
Synonyms: kōwhiringa, taotaka